Fire by the Argos field

The cause of the fire that destroyed the Argonauts training facility on the UTM campus on December 24 remains undetermined, according to the Mississauga fire inspector.

The training facility was located on the South Field, behind the Health Sciences Complex. The fire destroyed eight portable units used by the Argonauts to house meeting rooms and coaches’ offices. UTM cleared away the remaining debris the next day, as none of the facilities could be salvaged.

On January 4, fire inspector David Monkhouse said the cause of the fire could not be determined because the damage was too severe. The portable units, comprised of plastics and aluminum, were completely destroyed by the fire and the remains were removed by heavy machinery on December 25.

The fire started on December 24 at 1:33 a.m. and was first reported by a MiWay bus driver. Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services arrived on campus to put out the blaze. The fire took 40 firefighters an entire day to extinguish and caused an estimated $500,000 in damage, according to initial reports. No injuries or fatalities were reported.

The Argonauts, who were waiting for the final reports to be released before making training plans for 2012, have yet to announce their new venue.